The abuses of the time foiled even the energy of such men as Bishop Grosseteste of Lincoln.

His constitutions forbid the clergy to haunt taverns, to gamble, to share in drinking bouts, to mix in the riot and debauchery of the life of the baronage.

But such prohibitions witness to the prevalence of the evils they denounce.

Bishops and deans were still withdrawn from their ecclesiastical duties to act as ministers, judges, or ambassadors.

Benefices were heaped in hundreds at a time on royal favourites like John Mansel.